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  • 1.  Collaborative Leadership in Musical Theatre

    Posted 06-14-2022 07:29
    I'm doing some research into adult leadership models for high school theatre musical direction--tech, staging, choreography, vocal and orchestra direction and producing responsibilities. Your thoughts on any of these questions is appreciated!
    I'm curious:

    What is the depth and breadth of your musical theatre adult leadership team? 
    How effectively do you work together?
    How does your leadership team inspire your students?
    What adult leader do you wish you had access to but don't?

    Thank you!

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    Jo Beth Gonzalez
    Teacher/Drama Director
    Bowling Green Senior High School
    OH
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  • 2.  RE: Collaborative Leadership in Musical Theatre

    Posted 07-16-2022 16:22
    Hi Jo Beth,
    Here are my two cents:

    What is the depth and breadth of your musical theatre adult leadership team?
    I function as the Director, Executive Producer, Production Designer, and Technical Director.
    - Music:
    Our Choral Arts Teacher is our Music Director.  
    We also have an English Teacher on staff who also plays piano and helps out as Vocal Coach and Associate Music Director.
    While we have done many productions with live musicians, of late we are using recorded tracks, so there is no need (yet) for our Band Director to help direct a pit orchestra.
    - Set Design:
    Our Visual Art teacher helped out for years with prop construction, costuming, and paint/set decoration. Sadly, she retired at the end of last year.  I hope our incoming Art teacher will be willing to help out.  But if not, we will make do.
    - Choreography:
    I hire a professional teacher/choreographer to come in for our large production numbers.  She also helps with costumes and is our resource for purchasing dance shoes and specialty props.
    - Sound Design:
    Due to the challenges of sound technology, we have adults run our board and oversee equipment.  Lately, we've had some wonderful volunteers do this job, but I have hired professionals in the past.
    - Front of House/Rehearsal Meals/etc.:
    At least one "Drama Mama" or "Drama Dad" steps up to help coordinate rehearsal meals and run our concession area.  This person is really good at coordinating a small team of parents to share the work load.  When possible, our Home Ec. teacher coordinates her students to help out as well.
    - Other Technical Assistance:
    Our CTAE folks have been a huge help in certain productions.  While they are not available, or necessary, in all of our shows, when they have helped out, it's been wonderful.  In last season's Cinderella, we had an actual working clock to strike "midnight" and our 4-H sponsor arranged for a trained horse to appear in the show's finale.

    How effectively do you work together?
    Very well. We all like each other, make each other laugh and, most especially, we respect one another as professionals.  I always pick shows based on a strong understanding of the story and a clear vision for the production.  However, I stress that if anyone has a different idea (and potentially better), there is always room for discussion.  I do my utmost to make the the process a true collaboration.  For example, the choreographer or I will say, "I was thinking of the exact same thing!" when the other suggests a change in staging.  

    How does your leadership team inspire your students?
    One particular reason I am most proud of our program is that no adult is required to help with our shows.  Many of the adults on our team have kids that have come through the Drama program.  They see how I work with their kids, and the joy the experience brings.  They want to share that joyful experience with others each year. 

    The students see how we all work together.  When appropriate, we discuss various elements of the show and the kids see the collaborative process in action.  They see us working professionally, kindly, and with a clear goal in mind to resolve complicated problems.  Some of our kids have pursued professional acting careers, but a larger number of them wanted to become arts teachers.  Many have.  All of them specified their desire to work in the arts is due to the experience they had in our shows, and by seeing the adults help each other.

    What adult leader do you wish you had access to but don't?
    A Technical Director.  While I am a jack-of-all-trades regarding the technical elements, having another adult to handle the construction, lighting, and overall facilities management would be a huge help.  In addition, our students would get a more in-depth, comprehensive education in technical careers if another adult were on hand to help in these areas.

    I hope this helps.

    ------------------------------
    Josh Ruben, M. Ed.
    Fine Arts Head
    Northwest Whitfield HS (dba, The Northwest Theatre Co.)
    Tunnel Hill, GA
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    Original Message


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